Terminal block



NOV. 12, 1946. R WARNKE 2 411,01

TERMINAL BLOCK Filed June 21, 1944 f. .Q'. if

2 a 4 W5 I 49 o o o o o o 49 d 4? 7Z9. 5. 3/ i W HERBERT R- WRRNKEPatented Nov. 12, 1946 TERMINAL BLOCK Herbert R. Warnke, East Orange, N.J., assignor to United States Instrument Corporation, East Orange, N. Ja corporation of New Jersey Application June 21, 1944, Serial No.541,369

6 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular toterminal blocks which serve as points of assembly and connection of theterminals of a plurality of groups of conductors.

The generic advantages of this class of multiple connectors include theelimination of spliced or soldered joints between individual wires, thepossibility of the quick detachment of any desired conductor, and theease of assembling, installing, and connecting instruments and equipmentand distinguishing the various circuits in-. volved.

Particular advantages are afforded however by the present invention overthe prior proposals which have been made in this field. There has beenprovided a novel and improved terminal block which is of compactconstruction giving maximum strength, a'high voltage breakdown, andgreater convenience in making connections in the smallest possiblespace.

Improved arrangements and spacings of terminal barriers permit the useof various types of terminals without arc-over up to and above 2500volts, A. C., R. M. S.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of metal terminalinserts which extend through the block from one face to the other. Thispermits a greater knurled surface area on the insert which results in abetter bond with the Bakelite or other insulating material of which theblock is made. Thus the possibility of the inserts becoming loose whenconnections are being made or as a result of vibration or shock, iseliminated.

This feature also permits one series of connections to be made on oneside of the block and the other associated connections on the oppositesides thereof. For example, when employed in intercommunication, signalsystems, or the like, equipment connections may be. made at theunderside of the block and connections made by installing activity maybe effected at the top of the block. This does away with the necessityof removing the'equipment connections when installing activitysconnections are made, thus preventing loose or misplaced equipmentconnections.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of indiciabearing means for affording ready identification of the terminals, novelassembly mountings for grouping two or more blocks, and simpleconvenient means for attaching the blocks to panels or chassis, wherebyone row of connections will be disposed above the 2 panel or chassis andthe other row of connections below the same.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from thefollowing specification when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated byway of example.

In the drawing:

' Figure 1 is a top plan view of an assembly of terminal blocksembodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the bank of terminal blocksshown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly taken on line 3.3of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the blocks.

In Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawing there is shown an assemblycomprising three terminal blocks constructed in accordance with thepresent invention mounted in stepped or echelon formation on twosupporting brackets adapted to be secured to a panel or other frameworkof the installation. However, it is understood that, except as otherwiseclaimed herein, the individual blocks may be used either singly or inany other desired combination.

The novel terminal blocks illustrated inthe drawing are designatedgenerally by the reference numeral Ill and each of the blocks comprisesan elongated body portion ll preferably of substantially rectangularcross-section and two depending squared feet or pedestals I! one at eachend of the body portion; These foot or pedestal portions I2 are providedwith openings l3 through which screws or bolts may be passed to securethe blocks in their installed positions.

The body portion ll of each block is provided at spaced points along itslength with the metallic inserts or bushings l5. These bushings areprovided interiorly with standard screw threads for the reception ofscrews, bolts, or binding posts which are adapted to secure theconductor terminals to the block. Exteriorly the inserts I5 are knurledas indicated at Hi. This knurling is preferably extended throughout theentire outer cylindrical surface of the insert thus assuring a perfectbond with the Bakelite or other material of which the material is mainlyformed.

These threaded inserts l5 extend throughout.

the thickness of the block and, as shown best in the upper portion ofFigure 3, the bolts or screws 20 and 2| are threaded into the upper andlower ends of the insert serving to secure to the upper 3portiomoftheblockthewiretermiheadsofthescrews Ilandilandtheterminals 22and II in order to secure them more rigidly in place and effect a betterconducting connection.

Although only a few terminals are shown in the figures of drawing, it isunderstood that the terminals or leads may be applied to the upper andlower ends of all of the inserts I! throughout the lengths of the blocksll.

Between adjacent terminal inserts l and at the ends of the body portionll of the block ll there are provided the upwardly extending partitionsor barriers ll, probably best shown in the perspective view in Figure 4.These barriers are preferably cast integrally with the block when it isformed and they provide arc-preventing means between the laterallyadjacent terminals, whereby relatively high voltages may-be employed inthe conductors adapted to be loined at the block. I

Similar downwardly projecting barriers ii are provided which aredisposed at spaced points between the lower parts of the supporting legsI: of the terminal block. These partitions or barriers perform afunction similar to that of the upper barriers 30 but in connection'withthe lower series of terminals.

In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 4, suitableindicia identifying the circuits may be inscribed upon the front face ofthe block as indicated at 33. However, alternative indicating means areprovided in another illustrated example which will be presentlydescribed.

As already suggested, the novel terminal blocks It may be employedsingly or in any desired combination in association with panels,switchboards, or any other type of installation, and suitable fasteningmeans are applied to the openings ii at the ends of the blocks. In thearrangement shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of thedrawing three of theterminal blocks I II are disposed in stepped formation, being supportedby the end brackets I5. These brackets are preferably made of sheetmetal having vertically extending body portions 36 from which aninwardly turned horizontal base flange 31 extends. This base flange hasan outwardly extending ear 3! provided with a perforation 39 intended toaccommodate a screw, bolt, or other fastening means for securing thebracket 35 to an instrument or switchboard supporting frame or panel. Atthe opposite end of the flange 31, there is provided a horizontalprojection 42 which is also perforated to receive the head 43 of thesecuring bolt H which passes through the leg l2 of the lowermostterminal block III. The upper end of the bolt M is provided with a nut45 and preferablywith a lock washer 48.

Intermediate the height of each bracket 35 a stepped portion of thebracket is bent inwardly to provide a flange l1 and this flange isprovided with an opening through which a bolt 49 extends in order tosecure a leg of the intermediate block II to the bracket. A nutIO isapplied to the lower end of this bolt, and a window opening 52 ispunched in the bracket 35 laterally of the nut 50 to provide accessthrough the body portion 16 of the bracket.

A similar arrangement is made at the upper 22 andflfromwhichtheconductors 24' Ifdesiredlockwasherssuchas u I 4 I over and providedwithan opening to receive a boltlltowhi'chanutllisapplied. Another openingll, similar to that shown at It, is made in the bracket 8| adjacent thenut II.

An important feature of the assembly of terminal blocks, and one whichobviously can be applied to other arrangements of these blocks involvesthe cover plates ll. These plates are made of thin sheets of insulatingmaterial and are interposed beneath each of the blocks ll, beingprovided adjacent their ends with openings through which the bolts I,II, or I! may extend, the plates being secured rigidly in position alongwith the block ll. These plates ll underlie the legs l2 and the lowerbarriers or partitions II, and preferably extend forwardly beyond thefront faces of the blocks II to provide a narrow margin upon whichappropriate indicia may be etched or inscribed, in order to identify theadjacent terminals. Such indicia are indicated at II in Figure l of thedrawing, and may be used alternatively to the indicia 33 inscribed uponthe blocks themselves as in Figure 4. These plates not only provideindicia bearing meansbut also serve as insulated covers for theterminals on the undersides of the blocks and thus prevent any possiblearcing-over.

It is understood that various changes and modifications may be made inthe embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantiallyrectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon whereby no planecontaining a surface of any one of said blocks intersects a surface ofany other block, brackets supporting said blocks in such relationship,and opposite pairs of faces on each block which are parallel with thecorresponding faces of all other blocks being provided with conductorterminal attaching means.

2. A terminal block assembly comprising plurality of substantiallyrectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon, brackets supportingsaid blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on eachblock which are parallel with the corresponding faces of all otherblocks being provided with conductor terminal attaching means, saidfaces also provided with arc-preventing barriers one between eachadjacent terminal attaching means.

3. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantiallyrectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon, brackets supportingsaid blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on eachblock which are parallel with the corresponding faces of all otherblocks bein provided with conductor terminal attaching means and aplurality of conducting means passing through each block and eachconnecting one of said attaching means on one surface of the block witha corresponding one on the opposite surface.

4. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantiallyrectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon whereby no planecontaining a surface of any one of said blocks intersects a surface ofany other block, brackets supporting said blocks in such relationship,and opposite pairs of faces on each block which are end of each bracket35 where a flange 55 is bent (8 parallel with the corresponding faces ofall other blocks being provided with conductor terminal attaching means,said faces also provided with arc-preventing barriers one between eachadjacent terminal attaching means and a plurality of conducting meanspassing through each block and each connecting one of said attachingmeans on one surface of the block with a corresponding one on theopposite surface.

5. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantiallyrectangular terminal blocks arranged in echelon, brackets supportingsaid blocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces oneachblock which are parallel with'the corresponding faces of all otherblocks being provided with conductor terminal attaching means, saidfaces also provided with a series of projecting arc-preventing fins onebetween each adjacent attaching means, and a thin insulating plateapplied to the outer edges of the fins of certain of said block surfaceswhich are adjacent the corresponding surfaces of an adjoining block.

6. A terminal block assembly comprising a plurality of substantiallyrectangular terminal blocksarranged in echelon, brackets supporting saidblocks in such relationship, and opposite pairs of faces on each blockwhich are parallel with the corresponding faces of all other blocksbeing provided with conductor terminal attaching means, said faces alsoprovided with a series of projecting arc-preventing fins one betweeneach adjacent attaching means, and a thin insulating plate applied tothe outer edges of the fins of certain of said block surfaces which areadjacent the corresponding surfaces of an adjoining block, said platesbeing secured to said brackets and having a portion extending beyond theedge of the block to which it is applied, and indicia inscribed on saidextending portion identiiying the terminals attached to the block.

HERBERT R. WARNKE.

